Undercover Investigation Unmasks UK Immigration Scammers Exploiting Care Sector

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A BBC investigation has exposed the deceitful practices of recruitment agents who exploit foreign nationals seeking employment in the UK care sector. Through secret filming, the investigation reveals the methods used by these agents to defraud unsuspecting job seekers, manipulate the system, and continue profiting undetected.

 

 

One of the key figures identified is Dr. Kelvin Alaneme, a Nigerian doctor with a background in NHS psychiatry. The Home Office has acknowledged vulnerabilities in the system, but the BBC World Service investigation highlights just how easily these rogue agents operate. The exposé reveals illegal activities such as selling jobs in UK care companies, orchestrating fake payroll schemes to cover up non-existent jobs, and shifting from the care sector to industries like construction, which also face workforce shortages.

 

 

Since the expansion of the UK’s Health and Care Work visa in 2022 to include care workers, reports of immigration scams have surged. To secure this visa, applicants must obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK employer—a requirement that has been heavily exploited by unscrupulous agents.

 

 

Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the Work Rights Centre, a charity supporting migrant workers, describes the scale of exploitation as a "national crisis." She notes that the sponsorship system inherently puts excessive power in the hands of employers, fostering a predatory middleman market.

 

Two BBC undercover journalists approached agents operating within the UK. One met Dr. Alaneme, who runs CareerEdu, an agency based in Harlow, Essex. His business claims to offer global opportunities for young Africans, boasting nearly 10,000 satisfied clients. Believing the BBC journalist had connections in the UK care industry, Dr. Alaneme attempted to recruit her, promising significant earnings. "Just get me care homes. I can make you a millionaire," he declared. He explained that he would pay £2,000 per care home vacancy she secured and offer an additional £500 commission. These vacancies, in turn, would be sold to job seekers in Nigeria, despite it being illegal to charge candidates for jobs.

 

 

"They [the candidates] are not supposed to be paying because it's free. It should be free," he admitted in hushed tones. "They are paying because they know it's most likely the only way."

 

One victim, Praise, from southeastern Nigeria, paid over £10,000 for a job in the UK, only to discover upon arrival that the position did not exist. He had been promised employment with a company called Efficiency for Care, based in Clacton-on-Sea. "If I had known there was no job, I would have not come here," he said. "At least back home in Nigeria, if you go broke, I can find my sister or my parents and go and eat free food. It's not the same here. You will go hungry."

 

Efficiency for Care’s Home Office records indicate that while it employed an average of 16 staff in 2022 and 152 in 2023, it issued 1,234 CoS to foreign workers between March 2022 and May 2023. Its sponsorship licence was revoked in July 2023, preventing further overseas recruitment. The company denied colluding with Dr. Alaneme, maintaining it followed lawful recruitment practices and is challenging the Home Office decision in court.

 

In another secretly filmed meeting, Dr. Alaneme revealed a more advanced scam, where job seekers could purchase CoS without an actual job, allowing them to choose where they lived in the UK. However, this is a serious breach of visa rules, as failing to work in the assigned role could lead to deportation. He also outlined a fake payroll scheme designed to create a money trail to deceive authorities. "That [a money trail] is what the government needs to see," he explained.

 

Dr. Alaneme denied allegations that CareerEdu engaged in illegal recruitment, claiming funds collected were for candidates’ transport, accommodation, and training. He stated he had assisted Praise in securing alternative employment free of charge.

 

The BBC also investigated another UK-based agent, Nana Akwasi Agyemang-Prempeh, following complaints from multiple victims who collectively lost tens of thousands of pounds for fake care jobs. Some of the CoS documents provided by Mr. Agyemang-Prempeh turned out to be counterfeits of genuine certificates. He had since expanded into the construction sector, securing a sponsorship licence to recruit foreign workers. Posing as a Ugandan businessman, a BBC journalist inquired whether he could bring in Ugandan workers. Mr. Agyemang-Prempeh confirmed it was possible—for a price of £42,000 for three people. He admitted shifting to construction due to tightening regulations in the care sector, noting that other agents were now eyeing IT jobs.

 

Between July 2022 and December 2024, the government revoked over 470 care sector sponsorship licences. These revoked sponsors were responsible for recruiting over 39,000 medical and care workers since 2020. Mr. Agyemang-Prempeh requested a downpayment for the CoS, which the BBC did not make. His sponsorship licence has since been revoked. When confronted, he claimed he had been deceived by other agents and was unaware he was dealing with fake documents.

 

The Home Office, responding to the investigation, announced "robust new action against shameless employers who abuse the visa system" and vowed to ban businesses that violate UK employment laws from sponsoring overseas workers. Previous BBC investigations have uncovered similar scams targeting workers from Kerala, India, and international students in the UK.

 

In November 2024, the government initiated a crackdown on "rogue" employers hiring from abroad. From April 9, care providers in England will be required to prioritize hiring international care workers already in the UK before recruiting overseas. The findings of this investigation further highlight the urgent need for reforms to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable migrants.

 

 

Based on a report by BBC  2025-04-01

 

Full BBC Investigation

 

 

[Denim]

A solution would be to cut out the middle men and hire direct. Conduct examinations organised by the resident British Embassy. Exam to be based on the curriculum the applicant would have studied beforehand at local college. Those who pass the exam can apply direct without using agent. Only need to pay initial travel expenses etc.

 

I had several Filipino nurse girlfriends in the UK when I was young and as far as I know they never used agents.

[Hatari fan]

Would you believe it Nigerians scamming people. 

The politicians and home office are obviously people that believe everybody is honest and trustworthy but they are not many are out to cheat the system. 

We need streetwise people to make the laws not do gooders otherwise the country is going to go bust as there are many scammers a benefit cheats.